I just bought a brand new american deluxe ash stratocaster.....I've had it for four days and I've just noticed under a light that the frets look rusted, all of them, really badly. I'm not sure weather it is deffo rust but I've tried wiping it off, and it what ever it is it won't come off. I payed £1,300.00 (= 2,084.03 US dollars) from http://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/
which is alot of money to have rusty frets after four days.

Anyone know what should I do?

Thanks

Hi baxter: two things to do.

First, take the best, most detailed and beautifully focused photos you can and post them here so's we can all see. Because it is the second time in a few weeks we've been told of rusty frets, which unusual occurrence bewilders me more than a little. The other example was located in West Scotland - did yours come from one of the Scottish branches of GuitarGuitar too? Is there something fiendish in the air north of the border that corrodes nickel alloy in a bizarre way? Or is it the midges? The plot thickens.

The second thing to do is take that guitar back. No new guitar should have oxidised frets. Before we even need to think about Fender's warranty, your good ol' UK Statutory Rights say it can't be sold to you in that condition - at any price.

Have it replaced.

Cheers - C

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If you, or the previous owner (if it wasn't brand new) left the guitar in the case for any length of time, your frets and strings probably tarnished. Almost every guitar I have ever stored in a case has tarnished in this way. Here's your solution :
Take those strings off and throw them away. Now, get you some 0000 Steel Wool and tape off the fretboard if it is maple. Pinch up a small ball of the steel wool, and rub the frets with it. Use ONLY 0000 steel wool, or you will mar the frets. The frets will easily buff right back to a high-gloss and super smooth finish. Restring, tune up and enjoy! Many of my guitars only get transported in cases, not stored in them just due to this very same issue of tarnishing of the frets and strings!

Or instead of using wire wool, you can opt for the far more gentle solution. Brasso wadding cloth. More work but a much smoother finish, and you don't risk scratching up the fretboard.
Though if your guitar has a rosewood fretboard I strongly suggest you mask off the entire fretboard before using either. If you go with wire wool mask off the fretboard regardless of wood used.

I think it's entirely more likely that you're seeing lacquer atop the frets. Fender fret the guitars then lacquer over.
I've never once seen rusted frets. The silver content stops rust getting in. Silver gets a blue black sheen over the top of it, similar to the way copper turns green. You can scrape it off with your fingernail easily. So I really doubt that is happening, the strings would see it off.

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No no and no

Nickel is considered rust resistant too.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nickel

I really doubt the frets are rusting.

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No no and no

If it was really truly rust, when you play it you would have rust on your fingers. It is probably just the lacquer on the frets that will come off after the guitar has been played for a good amt of time. Or you could probably just file it off. Or maybe it is magical tone dust, in which case leave it on.

These are rusty frets, for the sake of reference:

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I traded my car in for a microphone.

"Rust Never Sleeps."

- Neil Young

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You dig?

Though to be clear, the gentleman says it is a brand new guitar, four days old.



S'why I want to see photos. As it happens, I have seen rusty frets, very much like in Capo's photo. But it was on my late grandmother's 1920's Selmer which had lived in a less than perfectly climate controlled attic for several decades. I don't know what those frets are made from but it ain't modern nickel alloy (maybe brass?). Even so, a modest rub over had them sparkling again.

Here's that 1920's Selmer. Very crappy - not remotely valuable as you might think an 85 year old guitar must be:



Cheers - C

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Thanks for all the replies...After looking at it closer I think that it is not rust. It jst looks like the fret have been scratched badly.

In good ol' (new) internet lingo: WORD!



Nutter

Here are the steps to cleaning the frets of your guitar:
Items needed: Steel wool and painting tape (It's usually blue in color).

1. Cut tape to fit in between the frets so all you see are the metal frets. Make sure that you tape the whole neck first before you start using the steel wool
2. Place tape over the pick ups too. If you don't you'll get all sorts of steel wool on the pick ups.
3. Use the steel wool on each fret until all the rust is gone.

Good luck

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1975 Sunburst Stratocaster rosewood finger board
1979 Stratocaster with roseowood finder board
2001 Candy Green Clapton Stratocaster
2007 Andy Summers Inspired Telecaster
2007 '51 P-Bass
2012 Taylor 110
2015 Mystic Ice Blue Deluxe Stratocaster Plus

Again though: this guitar is a week old.

Nobody should have to do remedial work on the frets of a brand new instrument. Take it back.

Cheers - C

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I agree. Further, you'll always remember this particular guitar for this problem and what you had to go through to remedy it. Reinforcing Ceri's point, you bought yourself a "high end" instrument and are entitled to one that is in perfect condition. There's really nothing left to be said; exchange it or get your money back.

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You dig?

Frets have been scratched badly? Looks like rust? I would give a kidney to see a picture just to know what the problem is >_>

Edit: I wouldn't really give a kidney, but a picture would really be nice. Just had to correct myself so nobody would make me donate a kidney <_<

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I traded my car in for a microphone.